Maneevej Therapy for Newborn Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy: A Case Report

Abstract

           Brachial plexus birth palsy is a serious complication of birth injury in newborns whose delivery involved shoulder dystrocia and risk for medical prosecution due; and some patients do not fully recover from motor dysfunction especially in the upper extremities normally used for daily routines. We reported on one newborn female case with Erb’s palsy who had received occupational and electrical stimulation therapies. As the 6-month-old patient was not able to recover from her motor dysfunction, her parents desired to get her treated with Maneevej therapy, a Thai traditional body balancing exercise technique. The patient was followed up monthly for structure imbalance correction with Maneevej and clinical re-evaluation. After 4 years of in-expensive Maneevej therapy, the patient’s clinical conditions for shoulders, arms and fingers’ functions improved to nearly full recovery. That has been achieved with trained/skilled medical personnel in the Maneevej therapy technique and cooperation of her parents in following medical advice.